2023 RICHMOND SUPER SECTIONAL
- Richmond, VA
- May 18-21, 2023
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Mobile: “2023 EZ LC Speedo Super Sectional”
- Day 1/2 Recap
Although most sectional meets are held at the end of July, a Super Sectional is occurring in Richmond.
Highlighting the third night was Leah Shackley who won two events on the night. Shackley kicked off the night with a win in the 200 butterfly. Shackley touched in a 2:12.41. That was her first time ever swimming the event long course. Shackley touched ahead of Eleanor Sun (a Princeton commit) who swam a 2:14.68. Campbell Scofield was third in a 2:16.76.
Later in the session, Shackley won the 100 back by a wide margin. Shackley touched in a 59.55, a new personal best. Shackley’s old personal best stood at a 59.91 which she swam only two weeks ago. Shackley has now dropped over two seconds in the past year. Finishing behind Shackley was 15 year old Virginia Hinds who swam a 1:03.03. Emily Thompson was third in a 1:03.10.
After swimming a 1:57.11 200 free last night, Erin Gemmell won the 400 free tonight touching in a 4:o8.11. Gemmell won by over 12 seconds as Andrea Dworak was second in a 4:21.69. Catherine Meisner was third in a 4:23.48.
Virginia commit Anna Moesch won the 50 free in a 25.46. Moesch has been as fast as 24.92. Tennessee commit Camille Spink was second in a 25.76, and Heidi Smithwick of Princeton was third in a 26.25.
The women’s 200 breast came down to the wire as 16 year old Elle Scott earned the win in a 2:33.87 touching just ahead of 15 year old Sara Czirjak who swam a 2:34.07. Angela Kadoorie rounded out the top three in a 2:37.82.
Highlighting the men’s side was Thomas Heilman who kicked off the night winning the 200 fly in a 1:58.84. Heilman has a best time of 1:56.52 from Junior Pan Pacs. Sam Folger was second in a 2:04.25 and 16 year old Kyle Wang (Northwestern commit) was third in a 2:04.98.
Heilman had a quick turnaround as he swam in the never event, the 50 free. Heilman touched in a 22.99, just behind Joshua Howat who won in a 22.94. Heilman was only a tenth off his time and Howat swam a new personal best, getting under the 23 second mark for the first time ever. Lucas Bureau rounded out the top three touching in a 23.52.
15 year old Nathan Szobota won the 400 free in a 3:58.46. That was a huge personal best as he got under the 4 minute mark for the first time in his career. His previous best stood at a 4:00.83. Brady Begin was second in a 4:00.95 ahead of Jack Clancy who swam a 4:01.68.
James Garner won the 200 breast by over two seconds as he touched in a 2:17.20. Indiana commit Toby Barnett was second in a 2:19.68, finishing ahead of Virginia Tech commit Eli Martin who was third in a 2:20.96. Martin swam a personal best by over two and a half seconds.
Kenneth Barnicle won the 100 back in a 56.24 about half a second ahead of UNC commit JT Schmid who swam a 56.96. Schmid’s time was a best by over a second. Blake Conway finished third in a 57.31.
Why is it called a “super” sectional?
Usually, there is more than one sectional meet within the “Zone” (such as in this case the Eastern Zone). Those sectional meets are usually grouped off in “regions”. Those “regions” usually host sectional meets and have a separate qualifying time as well as a limit on the number for out of “region” athletes. Out of “region” qualifying times are usually faster and then there is the added limit of only XX number of out of region swimmers at the meet. In this case, all Eastern Zone swimmers could swim if they have the qualifying time (and 100 athletes outside of the Eastern Zone were permitted to attend as well)
Everything in America is “Super”. Super Bowl, superhighway, super final, super lotto, super man, super woman, super girl, super duper duper! I wanna see a “Supra” Sectionals!
Our AMERICAN professional baseball championship is (stupidly) called the World Series, though it is strictly domestic.